The Portsmouth 25-man squad and overseas permit latest impacting January transfers
With up to six signings sought and overseas business set to be a feature of the January transfer window, the EFL and government rulebooks are factors in recruitment this month for Pompey.
John Mousinho believes Pompey will be able to work comfortably within the confines of the EFL’s 25-man squad rules in the January transfer window.
And the Blues boss has indicated government rules on work permits for overseas players will not prove a barrier to recruiting fresh blood from abroad.
Pompey boss updates on squad and overseas permit transfer picture
Pompey are pushing on with their recruitment this month in what is a crucial period for business, as they fight for their place in the Championship.
Millenic Alli was the first business through the door last night, with the Irishman arriving from Luton Town on loan for the rest of the season.
Mousinho is expecting up to six signings, by the time the window closes for business at 7pm on February 2. That will have to be carried out within the EFL’s rules on squad limits, with a 25-man group registered in the Championship after the window’s close.
A minimum of eight of those players have to be ‘home grown’, while contracted under-21 players do not count towards that total. In Pompey’s case, the likes of Adrian Segecic, Hayden Matthews, Makenzie Kirk, Franco Umeh and Thomas Waddingham go into the under-21 category.
The Blues also chose to leave a space free in their 25-man group for the 2025-26 season, to allow for potentially bringing in an out-of-contract players if the situation required.
With Minhyeok Yang being recalled by Spurs that left two spaces open, though one of those will now be filled following the capture of Alli.
Another significant consideration is the season-ending injury to Mark Kosznovszky, which means he can no be deregistered and not count towards the 25-man total. Umeh’s likely season-ending hamstring issue doesn’t impact that number, with the winger a contracted under-21 player.
Mousinho has also suggested he will entertain the idea of not registering players who he doesn’t see as part of his plans. That becomes a factor with Tom McIntyre returning from his Bradford City loan.
Changes can be made to the squad list within a window, with the final submission within 24 hours of a window closing. Mousinho is happy with how that situation is shaping up for Pompey at present.
He said: ‘We had one at space the back end of the window, wone has opened up with Minhyeok going back.
‘It’s not something we have to worry about during the month of January, it’s something we need to tidy up before the squad list is submitted.
‘There’s other things to think about as well, like we’re going to be able to deregister Kos (Kosznovszky) because he’s not going to be back this season. So there’s elements like that to consider as well.’
Overseas business set to be feature of January transfer window
Another factor Pompey have to weigh up when considering transfer business is the government rules over work permits for overseas players.
The Blues have extensively utilised relaxed rules introduced in the summer of 2023 over the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) points system, which allows some players who don’t hit the 15-point government threshold an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) visa.
Four players can occupy those positions, though there is the prospect of players converting to full GBE status after a period in the country.
This is a consideration with Pompey again looking to the continent to do business. The likes of winger Ousmane Sow, who’s since joined Danish side Brondby, and FC Zurich’s Jahnoah Markelo are among those who’ve been identified.
Meanwhile, French striker Nesta Elphege remains a target, as reported by The News yesterday.
Mousinho stated there are no worries for Pompey over those rules limiting business with foreign signings.
He added: ‘We’re fine in terms of that, so there’s no huge panic there.’